KIM’S KABUTO:
I began working on this about a year ago. Not long afterwards, the Indie Dyer of the featured yarn passed away unexpectedly. It just made me put the design aside and stop working on it. Recently I decided to pick it up again and decided that I would name it after Kim. He was the genius behind AG2N (A Guy & 2 Needles). In his memory, I am now introducing the design. Kabuto is a Japanese word for helmet. Specifically, the helmets worn by ancient warriors and Samurai. The shape of this immediately reminded me of those helmets. Also, it was discovered that this hat makes using a face mask much easier. Putting on a mask with the open nature over your ears of this design seems like it was made with this in mind.

YARN:
This Hat is designed to be knit in Light Worsted or DK weight yarn. I would suggest using at least one solid (or semi-solid) and either a complimentary or contrasting second color; solid, variegated, gradient, striped, or speckled (many options).

NEEDLES & GAUGE:
US 7’s/4.5mm needles. I prefer round needles for all my knitting. Straight needles work too.
I used interchangeable needles with varying length cables for different parts of this piece.
GAUGE uses US 7’s/4.5mm in Garter, before blocking. Remember, garter ROWS pull together
before blocking. This will look like an odd gauge at first glance, but each garter ridge represents
TWO actual rows. My gauge was measured in the piece, not in a swatch. There is a note in the pattern about checking gauge after knitting your first mitered square.
GARTER GAUGE 20 STS to 4” and 40 Rows to 4”

SIZE:
The hat is not fitted or tight. This pattern makes the finished hat close to 22” on the inside. Adjustments can be made in gauge or stitches to make this larger or smaller, this is noted (but not SIZED) in the pattern.

NOTIONS:
A yarn sewing needle for Kitchener Joining & tucking in some ends. Markers if desired.

Yarn Choices:
This piece is knit in DK or Light Worsted yarn, using a little more than 100g of yarn, total. Thinner, finer yarn will result in a looser and floppier version. I find that there is a lot of variety in spin and texture of yarns of similar listed weight. The pattern is malleable enough to accommodate some shift, but each item will be individual due to these factors.
I am using a ‘hank dyed’ yarn for the COLOR 2 and a more solid, or plain color for COLOR 1.
My second is using 2 solid colors. You certainly could use one color if you prefer a more solid look.

FEATURED VERSION URTH YARNS
COLOR 1- 16-Worsted, Colorway “G10” Olive/Khaki
:needed about : 58 g / 130 yds
COLOR 2- 16-Worsted, Colorway “Y20” Gold
:needed about : 46 g / 105 yds

VERSION A Mixed Sources
The Verdant Gryphon & Plucky Knitter
COLOR 1- TVG - Codex, Colorway “Athena” (Blue)
COLOR 2- PK - Halo Worsted, Colorway “Duckie” (Purple)

VERSION B - KNIT PICKS
COLOR 1- Daydream, DK, Colorway “Pink Sapphire”
COLOR 2- Daydream, DK, Colorway “Amber”